Company Announcements: Week of October 29, 2012

by Terri Eyden on Oct 29 2012printer friendly

BDO USA, LLP[1]announced an expansion of its Philadelphia practice through the addition of more than 100 partners and staff from Asher & Company, Ltd.[2] Founded in 1938, Asher is consistently ranked among the top firms in Philadelphia and is viewed as one of the leading firms serving the real estate and public housing sector. The firm, which brings ten partners to BDO, also serves clients in the manufacturing and distribution, professional services, and nonprofit industries. The combination of BDO and Asher, which brings total BDO staff in Philadelphia to 176, is effective November 1.

"I want to welcome all of the Asher partners and staff to BDO. Combined with our recent addition of Argy, Wiltse & Robinson in the greater Washington area, this is powerful evidence of our growing presence in the Atlantic region," said Wayne Berson, CEO-elect of BDO USA.

"Asher's entrepreneurial culture is a natural fit for BDO, and the firm's deep-rooted community involvement and business relationships will be a major benefit to our firm. Asher's extensive experience in the public housing sector is a significant addition to our established real estate industry practice."

Joseph Beach, who has twenty-eight years of accounting experience and has served as managing director of Asher since 2005, will serve as the assurance business line leader of the combined Philadelphia practice. William Burns, who has more than twenty years of accounting experience, will serve as the tax business line leader for the combined practice.

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Elliott Davis, LLC[3] is pleased to announce the addition of Shareholder Bill Quattlebaum and Senior Manager Russell Quattlebaum to its Columbia office. Founded in 1925 in Greenville, South Carolina, Elliott Davis has offices throughout the state and also in North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia. The Quattlebaums join the firm as it celebrates its twenty-year anniversary in the Columbia market.

A CPA with more than thirty years of experience, Bill Quattlebaum will provide tax services to high-net-worth individuals and closely held businesses. His son, Russell Quattlebaum, will provide assurance services to clients across a wide range of industries.

"Bill and Russell are excellent additions to our Columbia team and have a strong track record of serving diverse clients in the Midlands region," said Rick Davis, firm managing shareholder for Elliott Davis. "The expansion of our talent pool through lateral hiring helps to support our continued expansion while upholding our high level of service."

Due to its continued growth, Elliott Davis recently renewed and expanded its presence at the Bank of America Plaza in downtown Columbia. The firm has leased additional space and soon will occupy 25,000 square feet of the building.

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Grant Thornton LLP[4] named two new partners and five managing directors in the firm's New York area. Across the firm, Grant Thornton admitted twenty-seven new partners and principals and promoted thirty-four professionals to managing director.

Partners

Darlene Huff has been with Grant Thornton for five years and is based in the firm's Edison, New Jersey, office. She has a wealth of experience serving both public and private middle-market companies and will continue to focus on the technology industry. She graduated cum laude from Polytechnic University of the Philippines with a bachelor's degree in accounting.

Steven Recor joined Grant Thornton ten years ago and is based in the firm's New York City

Downtown office. He specializes in servicing complex investment partnerships, including private equity and hedge funds, registered investment advisors, and public companies. He recently became part of the Northeast National Professional Practice Directors (NPPD) group with a focus on financial services. He has a bachelor's degree in accounting from The City University of New York, Baruch College.

Managing Directors

Claudia Alonso has worked at Grant Thornton for six years and is based in the firm's New York City Midtown office. She specializes in serving public companies in the commercial and media industries. Currently, she is doing a rotation in the NPPD group. She received her bachelor's degree in accounting from the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University.

Helen Bachman is an eleven-year veteran of the firm and is based in the Melville, New York, office. Bachman focuses on international matters in the National Professional Standards Group. She received a master's degree in business administration in accounting from Columbia University Graduate School of Business.

Dean Beddow has been with the firm for seven years and is based in the Edison, New Jersey, office. A member of the firm's Practice Quality Review Team, he graduated from Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, with a bachelor's degree in accounting.

Justin Burchett joined Grant Thornton in 2008 and is based in the New York City Midtown office. He is a member of the Forensic and Valuation Service practice and is primarily responsible for the analysis and valuation of financial instruments for Grant Thornton advisory and audit clients. Burchett is a member of the Financial Services industry team and Complex Financial Instruments valuation working group, and he leads the Securities Asset Pricing Group. Prior to joining Grant Thornton, he was a buy-side analyst of structured credit securities and derivatives. He has a doctorate in political science and master's in economics from Stanford University and a bachelor's degree from Pomona College.

Paul Klein has worked Grant Thornton for nearly twelve years and is based in the firm's New York City Midtown office. Klein has more than twenty years of consulting experience in a wide array of areas, including risk management, information technology, business process design, internal audit, and project management. He works with a diversity of clients in the not-for-profit and higher education industry sectors. He received a master's degree in business administration from Rutgers University and a bachelor's degree from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, from which he graduated magna cum laude.

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Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC (LBMC)[5] is proud to announce it has been named to the 2012 National Best Places to Work list by Accounting Today. One of only eight companies chosen in the large-sized company category (more than 250 employees), LBMC was identified, recognized, and honored as one of the best places of employment in the accounting industry.

Accounting firms from across the country entered the two-part survey process to determine the best accounting firms to work for. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated firm's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determined the top firms and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration, survey, and analysis process and determined the final rankings.

"To be selected as one of the best places to work for in the nation is exciting news for LBMC, who has worked diligently to develop a unique culture," said Jessica Utley, LBMC's director of Human Resources. "Over the last several years, the firm has developed a number of new initiatives, but it is the attitude, compassion, and dedication that people bring with them every day that make the greatest impact on LBMC being one of the nation's best!"

LBMC prides itself on being a "listening" organization, eager to hear what employees have to say about how to improve the company, which includes being employed there. Ideas such as business casual, seasonal flex schedules, purchased PTO, discounted gym memberships, themed quarterly parties, sports days, Young Professionals Group, coaching program, and women's initiatives are all a result of the firm listening to employees. Programs like these, as well as recognition by the Best Place to Work award itself, help LBMC recruit and retain a highly talented workforce.

"We work hard and we play hard," says LBMC COO John Litchfield. "We have a set of core values that is our anchor, and as a result, we have been fortunate to attract some of the industry's most talented people. Everyone at LBMC understands that this is a tremendous industry accomplishment for our firm, but they also know that being a part of LBMC gives them an opportunity to take control of their future - we want to see them soar."

The awards ceremony, sponsored by ADP, will take place during Accounting Today's 3rd Annual Growth & Profitability Summit, October 28-30, at the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton, Florida. The list-making firms will also be published in the December issue of Accounting Today.

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LBMC[5] has also announced that Lindsey Smith and Rachel Jones, CPA, have been added in its Brentwood (Nashville) office.

Smith has joined the firm as a staff member with the Tax Services department (state and local tax). She previously worked with the Tennessee Department of Revenue for three years and was the marketing coordinator with TRICOR for six years. Originally from Nashville, Smith is a graduate of the Middle Tennessee State University with degrees in marketing and accounting.

Jones has joined the firm as a staff member with the Tax Services department. She previously worked at Crowe Horwath LLP as a staff member in the Federal Tax Division, where she specialized in clients in the manufacturing, construction, and agriculture industries. Originally from Chattanooga, Jones is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, where she received bachelor's and master's degrees in accountancy.

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LBMC[5] is proud to announce the selection of firm founder and co-managing partner David Morgan to the Nashville Symphony Board of Directors. He has been appointed to a three-year term on the board and will be serving on the Finance Committee.

Morgan, a CPA and PFS, has a wide range of experience in accounting, auditing, and tax. In addition to working with family-owned businesses, he also heads the firm's Family Office practice, where he works with high-wealth individuals and family groups. Services provided to these individuals include personal financial planning, estate planning, retirement planning, insurance consulting, and investment advisory services.

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Jamie Hopkins, JD, has joined the faculty at The American College[6] as an assistant professor of taxation. The American College is a premier educator of financial services professionals.

In his new role, Hopkins will be responsible for developing curricula associated with the college's new Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) designation. The RICP program provides financial advisors with the most current and advanced retirement income knowledge available. This knowledge helps professionals develop plans for clients that lead to lifetime streams of income and financial security during their "golden years." Hopkins will also be responsible for teaching a variety of courses in the Solomon S. Huebner School.

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The Sax Macy Fromm (SMF)[7] Foundation presented St. Joseph's Children's Hospital at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey, with a check for $42,700 after an outpouring of support at the foundation's inaugural 4 Miler at Garret Mountain fundraiser. The September event attracted more than 200 runners and walkers, and many local businesses made generous donations.

The Clifton, New Jersey-based SMF Foundation absorbed all expenses associated with the 4 Miler in order to donate 100 percent of the proceeds directly to the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Department at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital. The department provides family-centered care for children with cancer and serious blood disorders. Private funding is the sole source of ancillary nonmedical services for the department. Donations help to support child life services for patients, including various therapies such as "wish" type activities; entertainment (Wii, music, videos); and treatment incentives.

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Winer+Bevilacqua, Inc. (W+B)[8], a CPA firm in Akron, Ohio, recently welcomed three new staff members to its tax and accounting team. Brian Liddle, Kimberly Williams, and Jennifer Schumacher each bring years of experience in a variety of industries and roles, helping to make clients' experiences that much more valuable.

Liddle, a senior tax accountant, performs client financial updates, individual 1040 returns, tax planning and projections, client write-ups, and tax research. He also prepares and completes a variety of business-related tax forms, including the 1065, 1120, and 1120S. Liddle holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from The University of Akron as well as a Master of Business Administration from Youngstown State University.

Williams, a senior tax accountant, prepares individual and corporate tax returns and client write-ups. She also performs tax planning and research for clients and enjoys working with clients to help them solve problems and reach their goals. She has been a QuickBooks ProAdvisor since 2007.Williams earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from The University of Akron.

Schumacher, a senior tax accountant, works with the firm's team of tax specialists to keep clients current on emerging tax law and other related tax issues. She joined W+B after spending ten years serving clients in the automotive industry. She brings a wealth of experience into the firm as well as an extraordinary ability to dig in and analyze complex tax issues. She has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from The University of Akron and is currently pursuing certification to become a QuickBooks ProAdvisor.